The Houston Astros aren’t looking beyond the American League West, but no one would blame them if they did. The 2017 World Series Champions should have less trouble then they did in 2018 winning the division for the third consecutive year.
The team is a -800 pick to win the division. The Oakland Athletics are next at +800, with the Los Angele s Angels at +1000. The Texas Rangers are +6000 and the Seattle Mariners at +8000.
Houston’s marketing slogan for this season shows where its thinking is at. “Take it Back†doesn’t apply to the division, or even the AL Championship. This team is aiming to capture its second World Series in three years.
Pressure, What Pressure?
Manager A.J. Hinch said the team has embraced the slogan and there is no added pressure.
“I love it. I love the expectations,†Hinch said. “I’m probably not as bullish as some guys like (Alex) Bregman and J.V. and some of the others that like to throw it out there. But I do love being one of the best teams in baseball from the beginning of the season, then having to go out and prove it and try to bring another championship here. That beats having a bad team and no expectations.â€
Hinch has a pretty strong lineup, and it could be the strongest in baseball. The pitching staff took a hit with Charlie Morton leaving, and Lance McCullers Jr. is lost for the year after Tommy John surgery. Dallas Keuchel is a free agent, but if he ends up re-signing with Houston, they should be in great position. Otherwise they’ll be looking at a couple of arms such as Collin McHugh, Brad Peacock, and Josh James to fill that void.
Can A’s Challenge Houston?
Oakland shocked a lot of teams last year, getting to the AL Wild Card game, and this year are expecting to make another return to the playoffs. That will depend largely on the starting pitching. Mike Fiers and Marco Estrada are taking the first two spots, then six pitchers are going after the finals three.
If Jesus Lozado turns out to be as good as many have predicted, the A’s could have one of the strongest starting three in baseball. That would take the pressure off the last two spots, and give manager Bob Melvin the luxury of five pitchers for two spots.
Life After Scioscia
The biggest move the Angels made was at manager. Longtime skipper Mike Scioscia resigned last year and was replaced by Brad Ausmus. The question is will Ausmus be a fresh face the team needs, or will the club continue to underachieve?
They have arguably the best player in the game right now in Mike Trout, and signed some quality free agents to bolster both the offense and pitching staff. Free agent first baseman Justin Bour and catcher Jonathan Lucroy will help solidify the infield.
Albert Pujols saw his numbers drop dramatically, and they will need increased production from the slugger if they are to have a chance. He will likely be in the designated hitter’s spot since Shohei Ohtani is out for a while after Tommy John surgery in October. The Japanese star will return as a hitter, but not until the late spring at the earliest.
There are a lot of ifs that need to happen if the Angels are going to try and grab a wild card spot, but it is definitely possible.